Method and device for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to methods and systems for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks. According to the first method, the area which is to be covered is divided up into zones and a specific code is allocated to each individual zone. Said codes are stored in a storage system and the network is selected on the basis thereof. Alternately, a correlation is made between information on a subscriber identification module (SIM) and signals from a cell broadcast channel which is used to select the network.

[0001] The invention concerns method and a system for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks

[0002] At the present time an intensified discussion about the topic virtual network operator (VNO) takes place in Europe. Among other things a model is discussed, in which a VNO with its own home location register (HLR) (and thus with its own IMSI- and MSISDN area) relies on the network access lines of at least two mobile communication networks (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN). Other GSM infrastructure such as base stations (BTSs), base station controls (BSCs) and mobile switching centers/visitor log registers (MSCJVLR) are supplied by the mobile communication network carriers. The connection is shown in FIG. 1.

[0003] Two mobile communication networks 1 and 2 are shown schematically. Both cover a coverage area 3, for example the Federal Republic of Germany or at least sections of it. For each of the mobile communication networks 1, 2 a mobile switching center 4 and 5 (MSC) is represented symbolically respectively as part of the mobile communication networks.

[0004] The virtual network operator 6 (VNO), which operates as a kind of a mobile communication network carrier, uses the infrastructure of both mobile communication networks 1 and 2, in order to offer its customers mobile communication services. The user data of the customers are administered centrally in a home location register 7 (HLR) of the VNO 6. Accounting and control of the services are likewise executed in appropriate set-ups 8, 9 of the VNO. The user (customer of the VNO) can log into both mobile communication networks, whereby the controlling of the network selection takes place via the VNO 6. The VNO 6 provides the necessary user data for the mobile communication networks 1, 2.

[0005] The scenario described above is of special interest from the view of the VNO, if it has a possibility available for the selectively controlling of the network selection for its users. This possibility would be the prerequisite, in order to play the network carriers against each other in regard to the price.

[0006] As this playing against each other is not in the interest of the concerned network carriers, it is the task of the invention is to indicate a procedure and a system for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks, which is based exclusively on components of the VNO as well as on open interfaces to the mobile communication networks.

[0007] This task is solved by the technical theory of the independent patent claims.

[0008] Favorable design variations and improvements of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] Two design examples of the invention are described in more detail in the following with the help of two drawings. Further features and advantages of the invention result from the drawings and their description. It is shown:

[0010]FIG. 1: schematic layout of the principle connection between a VNO and two mobile communication networks;

[0011]FIG. 2: schematic layout of a first configuration for the completion of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 3: schematic layout of a second configuration for the completion of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 4: schematic layout of the zone code lists stored in the HLR;

[0014]FIG. 5: schematic layout of a cell broadcast message received from a terminal and a SIM.

[0015] A possible solution of the invention in accordance with FIG. 2 is based on the GSM capability characteristics regionally subscription:

[0016] The coverage area 3 in the affected mobile communication networks 1, 2 is divided in zones 10-23. A network-specific zone code is respectively assigned to the zones 10-23 from the network carrier. In the HLR 7 (of the VNO 6) for each user (or together for all users) a list with zone code per relevant PLMN 1, 2 is managed. This list describes the area of the respective mobile communication network to which the user is permitted to have network access. In the shown example the access is permitted in zones 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21 and 23 for the mobile communication network 1, whereas for the mobile communication network 2 the access is permitted in the remaining zones 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 22. This is represented schematically in FIG. 4.

[0017] Whenever a user logs into a MSCIVLR 4 or 5 a relevant list for the affected PLMN 1 or 2 is loaded respectively into the responsible VLR. In the MSCJVLR the received list is interpreted on the basis of pre-configured data (allocation zone code to cells) and checked with each network access whether this access is permitted.

[0018] If a zone code list is modified in the HLR 6, then the new list is immediately transferred applied to the current VLR of the affected user and applied there.

[0019] Use of regional subscription for the problem solution: The VNO 6 needs for both “home location networks” 1, 2 the allocation of the zone code to “real” areas. In both networks 1, 2 the relevant coverage area 3 of the two “home location networks” must be covered with the necessary granularity by zones 10-23.

[0020] The VNO 6 can determine by configuration of both zone code lists in the HLR 7 (for each users or respectively a general list for all users) in which area the network access performance is to be used by which network carrier. It must only be guaranteed that during the selection of the zones 10-23 the areas exclude themselves respectively. Reconfiguration of the lists can modify the regional allocation, and thus network access performance can be shifted selectively from one network carrier to another.

[0021] A possible further solution in accordance with FIG. 3 uses the SIM Application Toolkit (SAT) procedure. In this procedure the SIM is controlled by means of signals of a cell broadcast channel.

[0022] State of the art to SAT services and cell broadcast: Basis for the dynamic network carrier selection is a SAT service during which the SIM is controlled via a cell broadcast channel through a download message. The VNO rents respectively an area covering cell broadcast channel (or a section channel) from the two mobile communication network carriers. In the SIM cards a service is integrates which is controlled via the CB channel.

[0023] The cell broadcast service typically offers the possibility to send information (messages) differentiated according to areas (e.g. telecommunications local networks, postal zip code areas, political regions or geographical regions (defined by degrees of longitude and degrees of latitude). This direct sending of the control commands can control the application on the SMI regionally.

[0024] The application of SAT services and cell broadcast for the problem solution is described on the basis of FIG. 3 and is explained in the following description. Via the cell broadcast centers 25, 26 of the two “home location networks” 1 and 2 regionally limited change messages are sent through a network selection server 24 within the area of the VNO 6. The message in the region A of the network #1 is sent, if in the future all VNO customers in the region A are to use the network #2. The message is passed on after receipt in the terminal 27 directly to the SIM card 28 by the use of a so-called CB download message, as it is shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly the message is sent in the region B of the network #2, if in the future all VNO customers in the region B are to use the network #1.

[0025] The application on the SIM card 28 performs after the receipt of change messages the following actions:

[0026] the network information or the local information of the SIM card 28 is manipulated in such a way that the card “believes” that it is at the present time located in the network #2 (i.e. the new network). E.g. by appropriate setting of the “last registered” field in the location information. Additionally the former network can be also explicitly forbidden. This can take place for example by an appropriate entry in a “Forbidden PLMN” list. A possible entry of the new network in the Forbidden PLMN list must be removed.

[0027] a network search is initiated from the terminal 27 by a reset of the SIM card. This leads automatically to a login in network #2 by the manipulated network information or local information on the card 28. Since possibly ongoing conversations are released by the reset, it is to be waited until the end of the conversation before the reset is executed.

[0028] Optimization/supplement:

[0029] For the prevention of abuse of third parties (in particular the two network carriers #1 and #2) the CB channel can be encoded on the application level (between SIM card 28 and network selection server 24). Thereby the authenticity of the change message can be checked in the SIM card.

[0030] Drawing Legend

[0031]1 Mobile communication network (PLMN)

[0032]2 Mobile communication network (PLMN)

[0033]3 Coverage area

[0034]4 Mobile switching center (MSC)

[0035]5 Mobile switching center (MSC)

[0036]6 Virtual network operator (VNO)

[0037]7 Home location register (HLR)

[0038]8 Administrative and account center

[0039]9 Service Control Point

[0040]10-23 Zones

[0041]24 Network selection server

[0042]25 Cell Broadcast center

[0043]26 Cell Broadcast center

[0044]27 Terminal

[0045]28 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

[0046]29 Cell Broadcast channel (message) 

1. Methods for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks, characterized by the fact that the covered area (3) of the mobile communication networks (1, 2) is divided in zones (10-23). A specific code is assigned to the zones, whereby these codes are saved in elements of a memory system and the network selection is executed on the basis of these codes.
 2. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the network selection takes place via a central mechanism VNO (6).
 3. Procedure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that in the VNO (6) a list with the zone codes for the respective mobile communication network (1, 2) is maintained, which describes the area in which a user is permitted to access the network.
 4. Procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the home location register HLR (7) of the VNO (6) is used as the memory system.
 5. Procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that whenever a user logs into a mobile switching center/visitor log register MSCNVLR (4, 5) of a mobile communication network (1, 2), then respectively for the affected mobile communication network (1 or 2) a relevant list with zone codes from the HLR (7) of the VNO (6) is loaded into the VLR of the mobile communication network. In the MSCNVLR (4 or 5) the received list is interpreted on the basis of pre-configured data and checked with each network access whether this access is permitted.
 6. Procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that in the mobile communication networks (1, 2) on the basis of the pre-configured data an allocation of the zone code to cells of the mobile communication network takes place.
 7. Procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that during the selection of the zones (10-23) the coverage areas of the mobile communication networks (1, 2) exclude themselves mutually respectively.
 8. Methods for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks, characterized by the fact that an effect connection is created between information on a user identification module SIM (28) and signals of a cell broadcast channel, which is used for the network selection
 9. Procedure according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the network selection taken place via a central mechanism VNO (6)
 10. Procedure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the change message leads to the change of the SIM card (28) from the current mobile communication network (1 or 2) into the other mobile communication network (2 or 1)
 11. Procedure according to one of the claims 8-10, characterized by the fact that a network selection server (24) within the area of the VNO (6) sends via the cell broadcast centers (25, 26) of the mobile communication networks (1, 2) regionally limited change messages, through which the SIM (28) of a user is controlled.
 12. Procedure according to one of the claims 8-11, characterized by the fact that with the receipt of a change message the network information or the local information of the SIM card (28) is manipulated in such a way that the SIM card assumes that it is at the present time in the other mobile communication network
 13. Procedure according to one of the claims 8-10, characterized by the fact that with the receipt of a change message a reset of the SIM card takes place and that a network search is initiated from the terminal (27). As a consequence of the change message network information or local information on the card is manipulated and as a result logging into the other mobile communication network takes place automatically.
 14. Procedure according to one of the claims 8-13, characterized by the fact that the cell broadcast channel (29) is encoded on the application level between the SIM card and the network selection server (24).
 15. System for selectively controlling network selection in an area covered by at least two mobile communication networks, characterized by the fact that mechanisms of at least two mobile communication networks (1, 2) are connected to at least one storage device (7) for storage of user specific data at least for certain times. The system is further characterized by the fact that means for direct triggering for of at least sections of at least one of the mobile communication networks (1 or 2) are available.
 16. System according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the means for triggering are part of a virtual network operator VNO (6) or are supplied by the VNO.
 17. System according to one of the claims 15 or 16, characterized by the fact that that the means for triggering are comprised of lists with zone codes, that describe the area, in which users are permitted access to the mobile communication networks (1, 2) is permitted.
 18. System according to one of the claims 15-17, characterized by the fact that the means for triggering are cell broadcast messages (29), which are triggered by a virtual network operator VNO (6).
 19. System according to one of the claims 15-18, characterized by the fact that the storage device is a home location register HLR (7) of the virtual network operator (6). 